“Why is my Pomeranian puppy afraid in some situations?”
“Why is she hesitant around new people or other dogs?”
Pomeranian puppies are smart, sensitive and full of character. If they’re not socialized properly in the early months, they may develop fear, excessive barking, reactivity towards strangers, separation anxiety or trouble adapting to new environments later in life.
Socialization simply means helping your puppy learn that the world is a safe, predictable and positive place.
And it’s important to remember: good socialization doesn’t “just happen” – it’s something you consciously teach.
At Pomeranian Boo House, we’ve watched the development of countless puppies over the years. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective, science-based and practical socialization steps for Pomeranian puppies.
🎯 1. What Is Socialization and Why Is It So Important?
For puppies, the main socialization window is roughly between 8 and 16 weeks of age.
This is often called the “critical” or “golden” period: new experiences are processed more easily, and the puppy’s long-term personality is shaped.
What happens if a Pomeranian is not well socialized?
Poor or incomplete socialization can lead to:
Excessive barking at people, sounds and other animals
Fear or aggression towards strangers
High stress at the vet, groomer or in new places
Separation anxiety
Difficulty adapting to travel, guests or changes in routine
Over-shyness or reactivity around other dogs
Good socialization, on the other hand, builds a Pomeranian that is:
More confident
Calmer and less reactive
Easier to handle and groom
Happier around people and dogs
More adaptable to new environments
In short: a well-socialized Pomeranian is a much happier family member.
🧡 2. The First Step: Building a Strong Bond of Trust
All healthy socialization starts from trust.
Your puppy first “reads” the world through you. If you are calm and safe, the world feels calm and safe.
How to build trust with your Pomeranian puppy:
Use a soft, calm voice instead of shouting.
Keep a predictable feeding and sleeping routine.
Offer gentle touch and short cuddling sessions (don’t overwhelm them).
Create a quiet, safe “puppy zone” at home.
Make eye contact, talk to your puppy and play simple games.
A puppy that trusts its person will handle new experiences with much more confidence.
👨👩👧 3. Socializing with People: All Ages, All Types
Pomeranians are companion dogs by nature, but that doesn’t mean they automatically like everyone.
They need controlled, positive experiences with different kinds of people.
People your puppy should get used to:
Men and women
Children and adults
People with glasses, hats, beards, umbrellas
Quiet, calm people and louder, more energetic people
Visitors in your home and people outdoors
The key is no forcing. Let your puppy approach at their own pace.
Tips for human socialization:
Ask people to crouch down and turn slightly sideways (less intimidating).
Offer a treat and let the puppy take the first step.
Stop immediately if the puppy looks overwhelmed and try again another day.
Associate new people with something positive: treats, praise, gentle talking.
Your Pomeranian should learn:
“New people are safe, and good things happen when they are around.”
🐶 4. Socializing with Other Dogs and Animals
Pomeranians may be small, but they often have a big personality.
Early, controlled contact with other dogs is extremely valuable – but the right environment and partners are crucial.
Safe ways to socialize with dogs:
Arrange playdates with healthy, fully vaccinated and friendly small-breed dogs.
Meet other puppies in safe environments like reputable puppy classes.
Avoid dog parks with uncontrolled large dogs at the beginning.
⚠️ First meetings with large breeds should always be supervised, on leash and calm.
If possible, also let your puppy see other animals (cats, birds, etc.) from a safe distance, without chasing or being chased. The goal is curiosity, not fear or over-excitement.
🌍 5. Introducing Different Environments
Raising your Pomeranian puppy only inside the house may seem safe, but it can increase fear later in life.
They should gradually experience the wider world.
Environments to gently introduce:
Parks and green areas (at off-peak, calm times)
Short car rides (2–3 minutes at first, then increase)
Pet shops (brief visits, not overwhelming)
The vet clinic – not just for injections, but also for short, positive “hello” visits
Different surfaces: grass, tiles, wood floors, ramps, stairs, elevators
Always keep experiences short, positive and manageable.
We want “small wins”, not big shocks.
🔊 6. Sound Socialization: A Key Area for Pomeranians
Pomeranians are especially sound-sensitive.
Without sound socialization, they can become very reactive and bark at every noise.
Simple sound training at home:
Play sounds at low volume from your phone, TV or speakers, such as:
Doorbells and knocking
Traffic and city noise
Baby crying
Thunderstorms and rain
Fireworks (only very low at first)
Other dogs barking
Reward calm behavior with treats and praise.
If the puppy looks worried, lower the volume and go slower.
This kind of sound desensitization can reduce future barking and anxiety dramatically.
✋ 7. Handling & Grooming Training
Pomeranians need regular grooming throughout their lives – brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning and vet checks.
If you start handling training early, all of this becomes much easier.
Areas your puppy should get used to being touched:
Paws and nails
Ears
Tail and hindquarters
Chest and neck
Mouth area and muzzle
Make it a short, positive routine:
Touch gently for 1–2 seconds.
Give a treat.
Gradually increase the duration.
Later, this will make vet visits, brushing and grooming far less stressful.
🕒 8. Teaching Your Puppy to Be Alone (Separation Training)
Socialization isn’t only about being with others – it’s also about being okay alone.
Pomeranians are very attached to their families, which makes separation training especially important.
Step-by-step alone time training:
Start with very short absences: leave the room for 1–2 minutes.
Return calmly, without big excitement.
Slowly increase the time: 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, etc.
Leave a safe chew toy or a soft blanket with your scent.
Avoid creating drama when you leave or come home.
This helps prevent separation anxiety later and teaches your puppy that alone time is safe, not scary.
🎲 9. The Role of Play in Socialization
Play is not “just fun” – it’s an important learning tool for Pomeranian puppies.
Through play, your puppy learns:
How to control bite strength (bite inhibition)
How to read body language
How to build trust with people
How to explore without fear
Great types of games:
Gentle tug games (with clear start and stop)
Short chase or recall games (“Come!” → treat)
Finding treats hidden in small areas
Soft toy fetch or mini “hide and seek”
Well-structured play strengthens your bond and boosts your puppy’s confidence in different situations.
🪄 10. Five Golden Rules for Socializing a Pomeranian Puppy
Keep everything positive – never punish fear.
Go at your puppy’s pace – don’t force interaction.
Short and sweet – many small experiences are better than one huge one.
Reward bravery – treats, praise and play whenever your puppy handles something new.
Be consistent – socialization is a daily habit, not a one-time event.
🌟 Conclusion: Good Socialization = A Lifetime of Confidence
The way you socialize your Pomeranian puppy in the first months will shape their entire adult life.
With patient, structured and positive socialization, your Pom grows into a:
Confident
Calm
Friendly
Adaptable
companion who can handle new people, places and experiences with ease.
At Pomeranian Boo House, we raise our puppies in a social, enriched environment from the very beginning,
so they can join their new families as well-balanced, happy and confident little dogs. 🧡🐶
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. When should I start socializing my Pomeranian puppy?
Ideally between 8 and 16 weeks, but you can start gentle, controlled exposure even earlier at home.
2. Can I socialize my puppy before all vaccines are completed?
Yes – but carefully.
Avoid unknown dogs and dirty public areas. Choose safe, clean environments and only meet vaccinated, healthy dogs.
3. My puppy is afraid of other dogs. What should I do?
Start with calm, friendly small dogs in a controlled setting.
Keep sessions short, reward calm behavior and increase exposure slowly.
4. My Pomeranian is scared of car rides. How can I fix this?
Begin with 2–3 minute rides with no big destination, just a loop.
Pair rides with praise and treats. Gradually increase the duration.
5. Is shyness in a Pomeranian puppy normal?
Yes, some puppies are naturally more reserved.
With gentle, positive socialization and patience, most shy pups become much more confident.
6. What if I adopted my Pomeranian a bit later, after the “ideal” period?
It’s never too late to help your dog. You may need more time and smaller steps, but positive, reward-based socialization still works very well for older puppies and adults.